Can a middle-aged woman change the world?

She was just a mom in Michigan, the wife of a rather obscure Congressman. Then, she was catapulted into the White House. But just as she was getting used to being America’s First Lady, life knocked on her door – in an embarrassing, potentially tragic way. And Betty Ford answered.

America was in crisis

When First Lady Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1974, the nation was reeling. Her husband’s unprecedented swearing-in as President had come in a swirl of confusion and embarrassment. Vice President Spiro Agnew had resigned in disgrace. The Vietnam War was spiraling downward into defeat. Richard Nixon’s denials that he had conspired or lied about Watergate were falling on deaf ears. America was in crisis.